Slotted coin toy

ABSTRACT

A toy for playing various coin-based games includes a polyhedral block having a slot for inserting a card and a channel for rolling a coin.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/384,196 filed Sep. 17, 2010, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates generally to skills-based, table-top coin games in which coins can be rolled, slid, slapped, or thrown with a launching apparatus at a target.

For decades, individuals and groups have incorporated coins, marbles, pebbles, wedges of folded paper, wooden discs, or other such low cost, abundant projectiles into games of skill on flat surfaces like tables or floors. Many children play table-top games like tiddlywinks with plastic or wood tokens (U.K.), table-top hockey with three pennies (Canada), football with a folded wad of paper or a paper pocket of sugar (U.S.A), bounce basketball with a quarter (North America), or marbles (many countries). None of these games require an apparatus to propel the chosen projectiles, but they did require skill and plenty of practice to master.

Today, fewer children are playing these classic table-top games due to the proliferation of electronic gaming devices. Without hours of practice, individuals today typically lack sufficient skills to play and enjoy these classic games.

Prior art includes many types of devices designed to propel a specific type of projectile in a specific way, and in many instances, in a fixed direction and/or distance (e.g. Barnum, U.S. Pat. No. 1,982,491 and Carson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,911,758). These devices have come in many shapes and sizes. They have varied from simple springs used to flick or push coins or other projectiles small distances (the type typically incorporated into board games that resemble sports fields e.g. Englerth, U.S. Pat. No. 2,114,777), to simple target games involving a launcher that hurls projectiles (often incorporated into mock basketball games e.g. Ozawa, U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,330 or Solomon, U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,071), all the way to very complex, coin-operated, slot machines found at carnivals and arcades (e.g. Bromley et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,127 or Emenhiser, U.S. Pat. No. 1,827,885). There are also rolling games typically designed for marbles rolling in slots or tracks (e.g. Yule, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,143 or Klitsner U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,342).

Patchin et al, U.S. Pat. No. 2,878,801 discloses a toy catapult device that has a large, stable base and a slot in said base that holds an elongated strip-like throwing arm made of resilient material. The patent describes the strip including a moveable platform attached thereto on which to place the cubic projectiles. Robinson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,421,220 describes a projectile launcher with a large, stable block base that contains a slot into which a strip-like throwing arm can be placed. The patent goes on to describe additional features and parts added to said catapult for purposes of holding the projectile and adjusting the amount of throwing action.

Past art typically describes catapults or launchers that were either rigidly fixed to larger apparatuses (many examples including Chapin, U.S. Pat. No. 2,657,057 or Levin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,156), or were designed with large bases that made them inherently stable when throwing (for example Spikes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,597 or Labrasseur, U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,570).

SUMMARY

A slotted coin toy is a system for playing various coin-related games, that enables individuals with lower skill levels to adapt the original games described above with more aptitude and enjoyment. A slotted coin toy may incorporate several launching capabilities into one simple apparatus that has no moving parts and that can be combined with a card such as a standard credit card or hotel key card to propel coins varying distances and directions in sliding, slapping, throwing, or rolling motions.

A slotted coin toy provides simplicity in a “catapult” while still being extremely mobile and infinitely adjustable. It also allows for more than just a simple throwing action, having also been designed for sliding, slapping, and rolling a coin. The apparatus is designed to be extremely unstable in a preferred throwing position, and completely unstable in many other throwing positions. It is designed to be only slightly more stable when rolling, slapping, or sliding coins.

A slotted coin toy also is designed to be used in any and all orientations, dependent only on the action of the launcher desired, namely: type of launch, distance and direction. A slotted coin toy also incorporates readily available objects into its functionality, including credit cards for its throwing arm and coins as its projectiles. The slot for receiving the throwing arm has been designed to accept cards of varying lengths, widths and thicknesses. The channel for rolling coins has been designed to fit coins of many circumferences and thicknesses. In some examples, a slotted coin toy has been designed to fit easily into a pocket, carried to an event, and played while being held by hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a slotted coin toy.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 1 on a surface showing an illustrative process of launching a coin.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 1 in another orientation on a surface showing an illustrative process of slapping a coin.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 1 in yet another orientation on a surface showing an illustrative process of rolling a coin through a channel.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example of a slotted coin toy.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 5 on a surface showing an illustrative process of launching a coin.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 5 in another orientation on a surface showing an illustrative process of rolling a coin through a channel.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of yet another example of a slotted coin toy.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 8 on a surface showing an illustrative process of launching a coin.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 8 on a surface showing an illustrative process of rolling a coin through a channel.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 8 showing an illustrative process of launching a paper airplane.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of still another example of a slotted coin toy.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 12 on a surface showing an illustrative process of launching a coin.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 12 in another orientation on a surface showing an illustrative process of slapping a coin.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 12 in yet another orientation on a surface showing an illustrative process of rolling a coin through a channel.

FIG. 16 depicts a side view and a perspective view of the slotted coin toy of FIG. 12 conFig.d to spin in the manner of a top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A slotted coin toy is a hand-held game apparatus for propelling coins towards a target. The apparatus is made up of a base structure with a channel or chute down which a coin can be rolled. This base structured has also been designed with a slot to hold a credit card or similar spring element that is used to hold and launch a coin.

As seen in Fig.s numbered 1 through 7, the invention can vary in its dimensions, but its features remain consistent. FIG. 1 illustrates an example ideal for use on a table. This example is roughly 3.5 inches long by 2 inches wide (1 a) by 0.5 inches thick (2 a). These dimensions approximate the size of a credit card, a hotel key card, U.S. State driver's license, or other such cards. Being slim, flat, and small make this embodiment ideal for fitting in a pocket, while still being large enough to control with hands.

In this example, the primary slot for accepting a credit card (3) is made with a cut perpendicular through the face of side 2 a (at its center point) and extending parallel to side edges 2 c and 2 d. This slot is approximately 0.03 inches wide to create a snug fit with most credit cards (as most credit cards are between 0.025 and 0.035 inches thick). The slot is cut about 2.3 inches long to allow for approximately 2.3 inches of the credit card to fit into the slot. The remaining portion of the card that protrudes from the slot (approximately 1 inch), when a card is thus engaged, is an ideal length for staging a large coin prior to launch while still offering a small area to place the tip of a finger used to bend the card, thus loading the spring/card.

In this example, sides 2 b and 2 d are truncated at a 45-degree angle creating side 2 e. Side 2 e begins at the center point along an untruncated side 2 b, at point 5. A second slot (4) is cut into the face of side 2 e. The depth of this slot is approximately 0.7 inches. The width of this slot is approximately 0.1 inches. The slot is designed for coins to roll down unobstructed. The slot's depth was designed to be as high a guide as possible for the rolling coin while still allowing for a portion of most coins to stand proud of the side walls of the channel. The base of this channel extends parallel to side 2 e and through the face of side 2 d and through the entire remaining face of side 2 b. FIGS. 2 through 4 represent a few of the many ways a slotted coin toy can be used with coins and credit cards. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment with an engaged credit card (10) set up (in slot 3) to launch a coin into the air. In this setup, a toy is resting on side 2 e located on a flat surface such as a table (30). Side 2 c is pointed at the target (not shown). In this use mode, a left hand might wrap around such that the users left thumb engages side 2 d while her fingers engage side 2 c. A coin (12) would be loaded (lain flat) onto the card at point 20 prior to launch. The user's right hand would then be free to engage and bend the loaded card down towards side 2 d, thus loading the spring before launch. A user would have the ability to aim at a target in any direction, and able to rock a toy around corners 5 or 6 in order to adjust the height of the coin's trajectory.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a slotted coin toy lying down on a flat surface on one of its large flat faces (1 b) with a card engaged in slot 3. In this position, a toy would be held in the left hand of the user such that her left thumb would rest on side 2 d with fingers engaging side 2 e. The coin (12) would typically be positioned flat against the playing surface (30) and against the card at position 20 prior to launch. The user's right hand would then be free to engage and bend the loaded card down towards side 2 d, thus loading the spring before launch. A user would have the ability to aim at a target in any direction in the plane of the playing surface.

FIG. 4 illustrates a slotted coin toy standing on a playing surface (30) such that slot 4 is free to launch a coin. In this orientation, a toy is resting on side 2 c with side 2 b facing the target. In this position, a user could aim the coin in the desired direction with one hand while loading the coin in the slot and potentially propelling the coin down the slot with the other hand (in order to make the coin spin faster). A toy could even be tilted towards 1 a or 1 b in order to cause the exiting coin to tilt and track one way or the other (left or right).

FIG. 5 illustrates a slotted coin toy ideal for use on a floor. This example is longer, giving the user an easier, less hunched, operating position. This longer example also allows for coins to be launched and rolled down from a greater height. This allows for rougher terrain and larger objects on a floor-based playing surface like carpet or asphalt to be rolled or shot over. In this version, the apparatus is taller, narrower, and fatter. This shape allows for better gripping and hand control for floor-based activities, but it also makes for a slightly less portable product.

This version can be 5 to 24 inches long by 1.5 inches wide (1 a) by 0.75 inches thick (2 a). These dimensions allow for a user to sit or kneel while operating the apparatus by hand. Being more elongated and thicker, this version is easy to grab and much stronger than the thinner version even though it is longer and more prone to breakage.

In this example, the primary slot for accepting a credit card (3) is made with a cut perpendicular through the face of side 2 a (at its center point) and extending parallel to side edges 2 c and 2 d. This slot is approximately 0.03 inches wide to create a snug fit with most credit cards (as most credit cards are between 0.025 and 0.035 inches thick). The slot is cut about 2.3 inches long to allow for approximately 2.3 inches of the credit card to fit into the slot. The remaining portion of the card that protrudes from the slot (approximately 1 inch), when a card is thus engaged, is an ideal length for staging a large coin prior to launch while still offering a small area to place the tip of a finger used to bend the card, thus loading the spring/card.

In this example, sides 2 b and 2 d are truncated at a 45-degree angle creating side 2 e. Side 2 e begins at the center point along an untruncated side 2 b, at point 5. A second slot (4) is cut into and along the entire face of side 2 c. The depth of this slot is approximately 0.7 inches for its entire length. The width of this slot is approximately 0.1 inches. The slot is designed for coins to roll down unobstructed. The slots depth was designed to be as high a guide as possible for the rolling coin while still allowing for a portion of most coins to stand proud of the side walls throughout the channel.

FIGS. 6 and 7 represent a couple of the many ways a slotted coin toy can be used with coins and credit cards. FIG. 6 illustrates an engaged credit card (10) set up (in slot 3) to launch a coin (12) into the air. In this setup, a toy is resting on side 2 e located on a flat surface such as a floor (31). Side 2 c is pointed at the target (not shown). In this use, a left hand might wrap around such that the users left thumb engages side 2 d while her fingers engage side 2 c. A coin (12) would be loaded (lain flat) onto the card at point 20 prior to launch. The user's right hand would then be free to engage and bend the loaded card down towards side 2 d, thus loading the spring before launch. A user would have the ability to aim at a target in any direction, and able to rock a toy around corners 5 or 6 in order to adjust the height of the coin's trajectory.

FIG. 7 illustrates a slotted coin toy standing on a playing surface 31 such that slot 4 is free to launch a coin. In this orientation, a toy is resting on side 2 e with side 2 c facing the target. In this position, a user could aim the coin in the desired direction with one hand while loading the coin (12) in the slot and potentially propelling the coin down the slot with the other hand (in order to make the coin spin faster). This example of a slotted coin toy could even be tilted towards 1 a or 1 b in order to cause the exiting coin to tilt and track one way or the other (left or right).

FIG. 8 illustrates a version ideal for launching projectiles like paper airplanes, while also being able to operate as a catapult or ramp as before. This example is altered from the previously described examples in several small, but important ways. Most notably, the coin channel has been moved to accommodate two additional slots for holding a rubber band or similar elastomeric object. This position of the rubber band allows for clearance between the object being launched and the toy (due to the shaved corner creating side 2 e) during firing/take-off. This version is relatively compact to allow it to fit in a pocket, although it is longer and fatter than version 1.

This version is roughly 5 inches long by 1.5 inches wide (1 a) by 0.75 inches thick (2 a). These dimensions allow for a user to have a firm grip while pulling back the rubber band. Being more elongated and thicker, this version is easy to grab and much stronger than the thinner version which is important due to the strain placed on it by the rubber band during firing.

In this version, the primary slot for accepting a credit card (3) is made with a cut perpendicular through the face of side 2 a (at its center point) and extending parallel to side edges 2 c and 2 d. This slot is approximately 0.03 inches wide to create a snug fit with most credit cards (as most credit cards are between 0.025 and 0.035 inches thick). The slot is cut about 2.3 inches long to allow for approximately 2.3 inches of the credit card to fit into the slot. The remaining portion of the card that protrudes from the slot (approximately 1 inch), when a card is thus engaged, is an ideal length for staging a large coin prior to launch while still offering a small area to place the tip of a finger used to bend the card, thus loading the spring/card.

In this version, sides 2 b and 2 d are truncated at a 45-degree angle creating side 2 e. Side 2 e begins at the center point along an untruncated side 2 b, at point 5. A second slot (4) is cut into the face of side 2 c. The depth of this slot is approximately 0.7 inches for the majority of its length however, in this version, it does start by cutting diagonally into the face of side edge 2 c. The width of this slot is approximately 0.1 inches. The slot is designed for coins to roll down unobstructed. The slots depth was designed to be as high a guide as possible for the rolling coin while still allowing for a portion of most coins to stand proud of the side walls through the majority of the channel.

An additional pair of slots are cut into side 2 e exiting in the face of sides 2 c and 2 d. These slots are typically slim (measuring less than 0.05 inches wide) and shallow (measuring less than 0.5 inches deep). These slots are engineered to hold the rubber band snuggly at rest and during operation. This pair of slots are spaced as close as possible while still being strong enough to with stand the forces generated by the rubber band during operation.

FIGS. 9 through 11 represent a few of the many ways that a slotted coin toy can be used with coins, credit cards, and rubber bands. FIG. 9 illustrates an example with an engaged credit card (10) set up (in slot 3) to launch a coin (12) into the air. In this setup, a toy is resting on side 2 e located on a flat surface such as a table (30). Side 2 c is pointed at the target (not shown). In this use, a left hand might wrap around such that the users left thumb engages side 2 d while her fingers engage side 2 c. A coin (12) would be loaded (lain flat) onto the card at point 20 prior to launch. The user's right hand would then be free to engage and bend the loaded card down towards side 2 d, thus loading the spring before launch. A user would have the ability to aim at a target in any direction, and able to rock the invention around corners 5 or 6 in order to adjust the height of the coin's trajectory.

FIG. 10 illustrates a slotted coin toy standing on a playing surface 30 such that slot 4 is free to launch a coin. In this orientation, a toy is resting on side 2 e with side 2 c facing the target. In this position, a user could aim the coin in the desired direction with one hand while loading the coin (12) in the slot and potentially propelling the coin down the slot with the other hand (in order to make the coin spin faster). This example could even be tilted towards 1 a or 1 b in order to cause the exiting coin to tilt and track one way or the other (left or right).

FIG. 11 illustrates a slotted coin toy in use with a rubber band 11 engaged in slots 7. In this orientation, a user can grab the toy with one hand while pulling back on the projectile (that would be hooked to the rubber band) with the other. When the rubber band is extended, the projectile can be aimed and then fired by simply releasing the projectile.

FIG. 12 illustrates a version ideal for spinning like a top, while also being able to operate as a catapult or ramp as before. This example is altered from the previous examples in several small, but important ways. Most notably, this example is an octagon with eight equal sides. An additional slot has been cut into and through the faces of the apparatus wide and long enough to accept a coin. The original card slot has also been widened for a portion of its length to accept another coin. One of these coins acts as the handle with which to spin the top. The other coin acts as the leg on and around which the invention spins. This version is relatively compact to allow it to fit in a pocket, although it is slightly taller than version 1.

This version is roughly 3.5 inches long by 3.5 inches wide (1 a) by 0.5 inches thick (2 a). These dimensions allow for a top to be an ideal shape for a top: wide and thin. The slightly larger size also allows for a good grip while operating as a catapult or ramp.

In this version, the primary slot for accepting a credit card (3) is made with a cut perpendicular through the face of side 2 a (at its center point) and extending parallel to side edges 2 c and 2 d. This slot is approximately 0.03 inches wide to create a snug fit with most credit cards (as most credit cards are between 0.025 and 0.035 inches thick). The slot is cut about 2.3 inches long to allow for approximately 2.3 inches of the credit card to fit into the slot. The remaining portion of the card that protrudes from the slot (approximately 1 inch), when a card is thus engaged, is an ideal length for staging a large coin prior to launch while still offering a small area to place the tip of a finger used to bend the card, thus loading the spring/card. A portion of this slot 3 a (centered over the center of mass of the apparatus) is widened just enough to accept and hold a small coin, like a dime. Another slot 3 b is cut perpendicular to and across slot 3, such that it cuts through both faces 1 a and 1 b and is bisected by slot 3. This slot is also located at the center of mass of the toy and is long and wide enough to accept and hold a small coin like a dime.

In this version, sides 2 a, 2 b, 2 c and 2 d are truncated at a 45-degree angle creating side 2 e, 2 f, 2 g and 2 h such that all sides are of equal length and every side has one matching parallel side across from it. A second slot (4) is cut into the face of side 2 d. The depth of this slot is approximately 0.7 inches. The width of this slot is approximately 0.1 inches. The slot is designed for coins to roll down unobstructed. The slots depth was designed to be as high a guide as possible for the rolling coin while still allowing for a portion of most coins to stand proud of the side walls through the majority of the channel. This channel extends parallel to and through side 2 e and through the faces of side 2 d and side 2 b. Similar slots may be cut into additional sides in order to balance the apparatus. One of these slots is illustrated by slot 4 a.

FIGS. 13 through 16 represent a few of the many ways that a slotted coin toy can be used with coins and credit cards. FIG. 13 illustrates an example with an engaged credit card (10) set up (in slot 3) to launch a coin (12) into the air. In this setup, a toy is resting on side 2 e located on a flat surface such as a table (30). Side 2 c is pointed at the target (not shown). In this use, a left hand might wrap around such that the user's left thumb engages side 2 d while her fingers engage side 2 c. A coin (12) would be loaded (lain flat) onto the card at point 20 prior to launch. The user's right hand would then be free to engage and bend the loaded card down towards side 2 d, thus loading the spring before launch. A user would have the ability to aim at a target in any direction, and able to rock the toy around corners 5 or 6 in order to adjust the height of the coin's trajectory.

FIG. 14 illustrates this example lying down on a flat surface on one of its large flat faces (1 b) with a card engaged in slot 3. In this position, the invention would be held in the left hand of the user such that her left thumb would rest on side 2 d with fingers engaging side 2 c. The coin (12) would typically be positioned flat against the playing surface (30) and against the card at position 20 prior to launch. The user's right hand would then be free to engage and bend the loaded card down towards side 2 h, thus loading the spring before launch. A user would have the ability to aim at a target in any direction in the plane of the playing surface.

FIG. 15 illustrates a slotted coin toy standing on a playing surface (30) such that slot 4 is free to launch a coin. In this orientation, a toy is resting on side 2 c with side 2 b facing the target. In this position, a user could aim the coin in the desired direction with one hand while loading the coin in the slot and potentially propelling the coin down the slot with the other hand (in order to make the coin spin faster). The toy could even be tilted towards 1 a or 1 b in order to cause the exiting coin to tilt and track one way or the other (left or right).

FIG. 16 illustrates a slotted coin toy spinning like a top, on a flat surface 30, in both a side profile and from above. Coins 12 are incorporated as a handle and as a leg on and around which the toy spins.

The following paragraphs may provide further description regarding a slotted coin toy:

A0. An apparatus for propelling a coin at a target comprising a base structure with two primary parallel planar faces and at least 4 side edges, each of said planar surfaces having no more than 10 square inches of surface area, said base structure measuring from 0.25 inches to 2.0 inches thick between said planar faces which corresponds to the perpendicular dimension from face-to-face across its side edges, a first slot cut into said base structure such that it penetrates completely through both faces of the base while leaving a gap in one side edge and extending toward and possibly past the geometric center point of the base, said first slot being cut perpendicular to the planar faces such that any line drawn on and directly across a slot wall, perpendicular to the length of the slot, would never intersect a line drawn on and directly across at least one of the side edges, said first slot being 0.01 to 0.1 inches wide at its thinnest point and between 1 inch and 5 inches long, said first slot designed to accept and hold a credit card, debit card, hotel key card, drivers license, plastic identification card or similar spring element, a second slot cut into said base structure such that the second slot creates a straight channel with a floor and two walls, said second slot being between 0.05 to 0.5 inches wide at its thinnest point and less than 1.5 inches deep, and said second slot designed as an open channel through which coins can be rolled without obstruction.

A1. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein said base is a trapezoidal prism with two parallel planar faces and two pairs of straight, parallel side edges, said side edges being planar and with surfaces that are perpendicular to both faces.

A2. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein said first slot is straight for its entire length.

A3. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein said first slot deviates from straight enough to cause an inserted card to bend and push against both walls of the slot with at least two points of contact, providing enough friction due to the interference fit to hold the card in the slot but not enough to obstruct the card from being inserted.

A4. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein the side edges do not physically meet at an abrupt corner, but transition into each other in a more gradual, curved fashion.

A5. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein said base is made from one solid piece of material like wood, plastic, resin, metal, or a combination of these.

A6. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein said base is made from more than one piece of material like wood, plastic, resin, or metal.

A7. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein said base is made from materials placed in a mold.

A8. The apparatus of paragraph A7, wherein said base is modified to accommodate requirements of manufacturing with a mold such as reducing all wall thicknesses thus reducing the amount of planar face surfaces, and/or the addition of windows in slot walls, faces or side edges, said molded base with reduced material still fitting within a cavity defined by two primary planar surfaces each with no more than 10 square inches of surface area, and a thickness at its thickest point of no more than 2.0 inches.

A9. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein the two slots run perpendicular to one another with the second slot being cut into a side edge of the base and traveling along said side edge such that the slot never penetrates either face of the base in a manner that would create a hole in the a side wall of the channel that extended from the base of the channel to its open top.

A10. The apparatus of paragraph A1, wherein one corner of the base is cut at 30 degrees to 60 degrees relative to one side edge thus forming a fifth side edge that is perpendicular to the faces of the base.

A11. The apparatus of paragraph A4, wherein the second slot is cut into the fifth side edge of the base and traveling along said side edge such that the slot never penetrates either face of the base completely in a manner that would create a hole in the a side wall of the channel that extended from the base of the channel to its open top.

A12. The apparatus of paragraph A4, where in the fifth edge is cut at an angle of 45 degrees.

A13. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein the faces of the base measure 3.5 inches long (+/−0.5 inches) and 2.0 inches wide (+/−0.5 inches).

A14. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein the faces of the base measure 6 inches long (+/−2 inches) and 1.5 inches wide (+/−0.5 inches).

A15. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein at least one additional slot is cut into the base sized to accept and hold a rubber band.

A16. The apparatus of paragraph A0, wherein two perpendicular slots sized to accept and hold one small coin each are cut perpendicularly into and through the faces of the base such the slots are bisected by each other at a point that is the center of mass of the apparatus.

B0. A toy comprising a block having a generally rectangular shape, the block having a side, and a first slot, the first slot having a width dimension slightly larger than a standard coin thickness, the first slot having a floor defining an incline relative to the side, so that a coin may be rolled down the incline when the side of the block rests on a horizontal surface, the block also having a second slot for receiving a flexible expanse configured for launching a projectile toward a target.

B1. The toy of paragraph B0, wherein the second slot is substantially parallel to the side of the block.

B2. The toy of paragraph B0, wherein the block has a corner cut-off of its rectangular shape.

B3. The toy of paragraph B0, wherein the block has a cut-out for supporting a spinning top.

C0. A method of playing a game comprising providing a block having a generally rectangular shape, the block having a side, and a first slot, the first slot having a width dimension slightly larger than a standard coin thickness, the first slot having a floor defining an incline relative to the side, so that a coin may be rolled down the incline when the side of the block rests on a horizontal surface, the block also having a second slot for receiving a flexible expanse configured for launching a projectile toward a target, and rolling a coin down the incline toward a target.

D0. A method of playing a game comprising providing a block having a generally rectangular shape, the block having a side, and a first slot, the first slot having a width dimension slightly larger than a standard coin thickness, the first slot having a floor defining an incline relative to the side, so that a coin may be rolled down the incline when the side of the block rests on a horizontal surface, the block also having a second slot for receiving a flexible expanse configured for launching a projectile toward a target, and launching a projectile by flexing an expanse positioned in the second slot of the block.

It is believed that the disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein. Similarly, where the claims recite “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such claims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Inventions embodied in various combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed through presentation of new claims in a related application. Such new claims, whether they are directed to a different invention or directed to the same invention, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of the present disclosure. 

1. A toy comprising: a polyhedral block having a first planar face, a second planar face parallel to the first planar face, a thickness measured from planar face to planar face, and a plurality of side edges; a slot disposed in a first side edge, the slot formed approximately orthogonal to the first and the second faces and passing completely through the thickness of the block; and a channel disposed in a second side edge, the channel formed parallel to the first and the second faces of the block and extending along the entire second side edge.
 2. The toy of claim 1, wherein the block has five side edges forming five corners.
 3. The toy of claim 2, wherein three corners are formed at approximately right angles and a fourth corner and a fifth corner are formed at oblique angles.
 4. The toy of claim 3, wherein the channel is disposed in a side edge spanning the fourth and fifth corners.
 5. A kit comprising: a polyhedral block having a first planar face, a second planar face parallel to the first planar face, a thickness measured from planar face to planar face, a plurality of side edges, a slot disposed in a first side edge, the slot having a depth and passing completely through the thickness of the block approximately orthogonal to the first and second planar faces, a channel disposed in a second side edge, the channel formed parallel to the first and the second faces of the block and extending along the entire second side edge; an elastically flexible card having a length and a width; and a disk having a circumferential edge; wherein the slot is sized to accept and retain a partial length of the card, and the channel is sized to allow the disk to roll freely on edge through the channel.
 6. The kit of claim 5, wherein the card is comprised of plastic.
 7. The kit of claim 6, wherein the card is a plastic key card.
 8. The kit of claim 5, wherein the disk is comprised of metal.
 9. The kit of claim 8, wherein the disk is a coin.
 10. The kit of claim 5, wherein the block has five side edges forming five corners.
 11. The kit of claim 10, wherein three corners are formed at approximately right angles and a fourth corner and a fifth corner are formed at oblique angles.
 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the channel is disposed in a side edge spanning the fourth and fifth corners.
 13. The kit of claim 5, wherein the width of the card is greater than the thickness of the block.
 14. The kit of claim 5, wherein the length of the card is greater than the depth of the slot.
 15. A method of propelling a disk, the method comprising: providing an elastically flexible card having a planar face and a length; providing a polyhedral block having a slot formed in a side edge, the slot having a depth less than the length of the card; placing the card in the slot such that a portion of the length of the card extends beyond the side edge of the block; providing a disk; placing the disk on the planar face of the card; flexing the card; and releasing the card to propel the disk through space.
 16. A method of propelling a disk, the method comprising: providing an elastically flexible card having a planar face and a length; providing a polyhedral block having a planar face, a thickness, and a slot formed in a side edge, the slot having a depth less than the length of the card; placing the card in the slot such that a portion of the length of the card extends beyond the side edge of the block; orienting the planar face of the block on a surface such that an edge of the card is resting on the surface; providing a disk having a circumferential edge; placing the disk on the surface with the edge of the disk disposed at the planar face of the card; flexing the card; and releasing the card to propel the disk along the surface.
 17. A method of propelling a disk, the method comprising: providing a polyhedral block having a channel disposed in a side edge and extending along the entire side edge; providing a disk having a circumferential edge; orienting the block on a surface such that the channel forms a ramp ending at the surface; rolling the disk on edge down the channel and across the surface. 